BALLOCH tourist development Lomond Banks has today (6 March) announced a significant milestone in its proposed £40 million sustainable world-class tourism destination project, as it finalised a crucial agreement with Transport Scotland to help address apprehension around potential road impacts within the area.
With more than two years of extensive consultations and community engagement, the team at Lomond Banks have refined their plans to reassure the community that it takes into consideration the needs and wants of the local area, including its latest submission, which contains a recently updated summer transport assessment, highlighting the minimal impact on existing roads, alongside supporting potential upgrades to the A82’s Stoneymollan roundabout.
The agreement with Transport Scotland, which would form a Section 48 legal agreement should the planning application progress, has been in discussions since summer 2023 and confirms Lomond Banks’ dedication to listening to the local community by directly supporting and prioritising Transport Scotland’s proposals for upgrades to the Stoneymollan roundabout, ensuring there would be direct community benefits, should its plans progress.
Having already created the Lomond Promise, a voluntary undertaking which legally binds the developer into a number of obligations, including no zero-hour contracts, real living wages, job and training opportunities for local people, alongside a commitment to 24/7 access to woodland paths and national walkways as well as preserving, protecting and enhancing Drumkinnon Wood – it is hoped that if given the opportunity, the Transport Scotland legal agreement will further reinforce the developers commitment to Balloch and the surrounding area.
Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: “In order to demonstrate to the local community that we are committed to them and the promises we have made, we created our ‘Lomond Promise’, a unilateral agreement setting out a list of pledges that ensure we will play our part and be a good employer, a good neighbour and a good partner whenever we can.
“We also know the transport issues around Loch Lomond have been a concern so we considered it vitally important to instruct updates to the transport assessments at peak times and form this new, legally binding agreement with Transport Scotland to help prioritise their proposed upgrades for Stoneymollan roundabout and mitigate any impact Lomond Banks may have, should our plans progress.”
Throughout the process, Lomond Banks has been buoyed by support, both by the local community and businesses including the Dumbarton Chamber of Commerce, the Maid of the Loch, Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Helensburgh and District Access. These groups were able to recognise the fantastic opportunity such an inward investment in the local area could mean for the surrounding community and beyond.
Jim added: “As we approach the final stages of this process, we believe Lomond Banks will not only revitalise the gateway to Loch Lomond but offer an added boost to existing complementing businesses that already operate here and provide numerous opportunities for those keen to work with a progressive and forward-thinking employer. As such, Lomond Banks is committed to being an active and responsible participant within the Balloch community for many years to come.”
Further information and FAQs on Lomond Banks can also be found at www.lomondbanks.com
